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Blood-borne tissue factor: another view of thrombosis
P L Giesen1, U Rauch, B Bohrmann
1Division of Thrombosis Research, Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Summary
This study reveals that blood-borne tissue factor (TF) plays a crucial role in arterial thrombosis, even without vascular wall damage. Leukocytes appear to be a significant source of this blood-borne TF, highlighting its thrombogenic potential.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Vascular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Arterial thrombosis traditionally involves tissue factor (TF) from the vascular wall interacting with blood components.
- The established paradigm suggests coagulation initiation occurs upon exposure of circulating blood to TF in damaged vessels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate thrombus formation in systems lacking TF in the vascular wall.
- To determine the role and source of TF in thrombus formation under flow conditions.
Main Methods:
- Perfusion of native human blood over pig arterial media and collagen-coated glass slides.
- Immunostaining for TF, fibrin, and TF-containing leukocytes (neutrophils, monocytes).
- Inhibition studies using antibodies against TF and Factor VIIai.
Main Results:
- Thrombi formed intensely stained for TF, often cell-free, on TF-devoid surfaces.
- TF antibodies and Factor VIIai significantly reduced thrombus mass and fibrin production.
- TF-positive microvesicles were observed near platelets; leukocytes were identified as a potential TF source.
Conclusions:
- Blood-borne TF is present and active in thrombus formation, independent of vascular wall TF.
- Leukocytes may be the primary source of blood-borne TF.
- Blood-borne TF is suggested to be inherently thrombogenic and involved in thrombus propagation.